The Monday Shakeout: My Favorite Training and Racing Shoes of 2024
By Matt Klein
2024 was been an insane year for me. I finished my dissertation, completed my PhD, moved from Southern California to Oregon and started a new teaching position. From a training perspective, 95% of my running was with Isabella in a stroller. It was a combination of helping my wife get back into running post-partum while I tried to both get used to a stroller and get fitness back. We have focused on shorter distances with most racing being 5k-8k on both road and cross country. I tested almost 130 pairs of shoes over 3719 miles. While this has been an incredible year for super racing shoes, it has been a bit slow on the trainer side. It has also been an odd year for my feet as I may be transitioning from a men's size 10 to a 10.5. That made for some interesting fit issues that taught me some great lessons that I continued to put into writing.
My Favorite Neutral Trainer: Brooks Glycerin Max | Full Review
After my not so great experiences with the Ghost Max 2, I was incredibly surprised that the Brooks Glycerin Max became a favorite. This was not love at first site as the fit felt off and the DNA Tuned midsole felt firmer than I expected. Fortunately, we at DOR realize that shoes take time to break in and break in this shoe did after 20 miles. I have close to 150 miles on my pair and outside this shoe fitting slightly short (I should have gotten a 10.5) the ride and durability have been fantastic. There is a solid heel bevel with a softer heel that transitions into a slightly firmer, stiff and well rockered forefoot. While not the lightest shoe, the Glycerin Max was my top choice for long runs and easy runs when I just wanted to roll through miles. Despite having so many miles, I have not been able to make a dent in the outsole and the midsole has kept its balanced cushioning level. Combined with being a solidly stable neutral shoe, the Glycerin Max was definitely my favorite neutral shoe of the year.
My Favorite Stability (or Stable Neutral) Trainer: ASICS GT-2000 13 | Full Review
David and I have both continued to choose the ASICS GT series for our stability shoe of the year. Version 13 is not that different from version 12 but continues to be one of the lightest stability shoes on the market while providing moderate stability, good cushioning and and balanced ride. It is a simple and effective shoe, providing internal geometric stability that still provides good midfoot and heel medial support without getting in your face too much. It is the rare stability shoe with a midsole that can handle daily and uptempo training as well. Similar to many shoes in my favorites, the outsole is also fantastic with 100 miles from me not even making a dent. All these things make for a consistently good shoe among a consistently shrinking stability market.
My Favorite Performance Trainer: ASICS Superblast 2 | Full Review
The ASICS Superblast 2 being the performance trainer of the year again is no surprise. Like the original last year, I got over 100 miles in my pair, did tons of workouts, long runs and easy runs and continued to demonstrate version two was just as good as version one. However, other companies are closing on the Superblast series, so ASICS will have to continue to step their game up. The newest version did have some mild fit issues at the toe box, continuing to provide a tapered toe box that took some time to break in. The heel was also a tiny bit clunky, reminding me that many shoes on today's market still need time to break in. Once the dust settles, the Superblast 2 continues to be an excellent do everything performance trainer that will also easily be a marathon racing shoe for many people. The bouncy but slightly fimer and highly stable neutral ride provide control and speed at a variety of paces, making this shoe the performance trainer of the year again.
My Favorite Distance Racing Shoe: ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris | Full Review
I already enjoyed the Edge+ but found it to not be as bouncy as I was hoping. That changed completely with the introduction of the Metaspeed Paris series. The Metaspeed Edge Paris blew me away by being not only the lightest racing shoe on the market at the time but also featuring a massive midsole upgrade. This bouncy, fast shoe took Isabella and I to a surprise 16:57 stroller 5k, a 16:51 non-stroller 5k split a few weeks prior, a 10:21 two mile stroller time trial and a 4:56 stroller mile. On top of being a fantastic performance shoe, it has incredibly durability with foam that remains resilient even after 100 miles (actually ran that stroller 5k at over 100 miles) and an outsole that has held up extremely well. An excellent racer that works for the mile to half marathon race distances but likely not farther for me personally, the Edge Paris is the clear winner from a comfort, speed and overall performance perspective for me.
My Favorite Trail Shoe: Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra | Review Soon
When I first saw the Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra, I was actually terrified. The super narrow midfoot and tall stack height made me question the stability and functionality of this shoe (even with the incredible performances from the Adidas Terrex Elite team). While we did not have an Adidas Terrex contact, I was able to get a pair of these at a Running Warehouse/Adidas Terrex event. Even after getting them, I was too afraid to use them until I pulled the trigger and oddly decided to use them for a track workout. Surprisingly, they did quite well, responding better that faster and harder I pushed. I then took to the trails in them and even though I enjoyed this shoe, I still wimped out using it for XC races as the stability is best running in a straight line and less so on highly technical terrain. The best place for them was on the beach, where I managed to handle a workout pushing the stroller though the sand. Once you get the fit dialed in (these fit a half size long) and you learn to use them, they are fun to push the pace in. I learned where to land in these and optimize the rocker, so you are interested in a unique riding super trail shoe, this may be one to check out. Also yes I have over 50 miles in my pair and I still need to write the full review.
Honorable Mentions:
Hoka Mach X 2 | Full Review
We got our pairs of Mach X 2 fairly late, so already knew about the heel issues and version 3 had already been revealed at TRE. Despite the negative comments, I really enjoyed this shoe. The fit was a tiny bit long but my feet settled in immediately and I never had any heel issues. The bounce and slight softness was what I wanted from the Superblast but never quite got. The plate, despite not being carbon, was incredibly stiff but well balanced by the top layer of PEBAX foam. The only thin that prevented this shoe from being the top performance trainer was the poor outsole durability. My pair only made it to 60 miles before the outsole was so shredded I could not run in them anymore. So while everyone was focused on the upper, I am hoping that the outsole is also upgrade in version 3 so I can really see this shoe's potential. If that gets fixed, the Superblast is going to have tough competition in 2025.
361 Miro Nude | Full Review
I was interested in the Miro the second I realized it was available for purchase. I almost didn't believe it was real, so when it showed up on 361's US website, I immediately grabbed a pair. My size 10 came in at an incredible 4.3 ounces, the lightest shoe I had worn in over a decade. Combined with a super foam and a tall, super racing shoe eligible stack height, I was blown away that something like this existed. Every workout was amazing in this shoe and Isabella and I managed to win a 5k (stroller) wearing this it. The only problem was that it only lasted ~30 miles and I actually ripped the remaining outsole off (and part of the midsole with it) during the race. So despite the amazing ride, the durability of this shoe still needs to be worked on. However, I am super excited for the next generation of super light super racing shoes to hit the market. This is just the beginning as there are reports of the ASICS Metaspeed Evo (5.3 oz), Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 2 and a few others coming soon, so the next generation of super racers may be closer than expected.
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David's Top Shoes of 2024 So Far
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Andrea's Top Shoes of 2024 So Far
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Research on Finding Optimal Shoes and the RUN-CAT
About the 1st MTP and its Role in Running
What is Drop and Why It Doesn't Always Matter
The Science of Sole Width
Challenges with Large Toe Spring
Phases of the Swing Gait
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The Best Shoes of 2023 for Highly Specific Reasons
Andrea's Favorite Shoes of 2023
David's Favorite Shoes of 2023
Matt's Favorite Shoes of 2023
My Favorite Flat Feet Shoes of 2023
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How Forefoot Rockers Help Toe Mobility
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How Much Does Doctors of Running Make?
Changes We're Excited to See
Why Heel Bevels are Natural
Do Heavier Runners Need Different Shoes?
Shoe Rotations for Different Runners
Strength Training to Prevent Injury - A Case Study
On the Impacts of Different Stacked Shoes
The Importance of Heel Bevels in Shoe Design
Low vs. High Drop Shoes
Why is Proprioception Important to Runners?
Best Running Movie Scenes of All-Time, Part 2
Best Running Movie Scenes of All-Time, Part 1
What a Week at DOR is Like
Reflections on Saucony's Running Economy Study
Sustainable is Only Going to Work if It's Good
A Simple Guide to Footwear and Foot Health
Best Flat Feet Shoes by a Flat Feet Runner
How Long Do Shoes Last?
SHOP | SUPPORT DOR
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Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt: The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt)
Saysky Running Gear: We were really taken aback by this Scandinavian company's ultra-thin, durable performance clothing
Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor: Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cup
goodr Sunglases: Run in style with goodr's super fun sunglasses.
Feetures Socks: Massively grippy socks that will make you feel more one with the shoe
Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Water Bottle: Perfect for long runs when you need hydration in the summer
Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
Theragun Massager: This small version is great on the go for working tired legs
Ciele Hat: Our team's favorite running hat of choice!
Fractel Hats: Our team's wider fitting running hat of choice!
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Previous Shakeout: Andrea's Favorite Shoes of 2024
